Monthly Archives: February 2014

A Formula 1 driving experience in Abu Dhabi fired the engines of a group of Robb Report readers. Frosch Travel planned an exhilarating itinerary for this intimate group featuring an exclusive driving experience at the Yas Marina Circuit, one of the world’s most prestigious racing venues.
Upon arrival, the group shuttled from the airport to the St. Regis Saadiyat Island, a beautifully landscaped environment located along a pristine five-mile length of white-sand coastline. The resort offered a complete s…

The Swedish camera maker Hasselblad has introduced the new amateur-friendly HV DSLR ($11,995), which features a 24.3-megapixel full-frame sensor, a Carl Zeiss 24-to-70 mm lens (known for its ability to capture detail and contrast), and 35 mm full-frame HD-video recording capabilities. The HV DSLR is ergonomically designed to allow for a steady grip and comes in a professional-grade resin case that protects it from dust, water, chemical agents, and temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The HV DSLR…

As part of its more than $687 million Best and Beyond initiative to upgrade amenities on long-haul flights, Air France has unveiled its newly redesigned business-class seating. Conceived by Mark Collins of Design Investment, which has previously created cabins for Airbus and Lufthansa, the new business-class seating is designed with comfort and privacy in mind. The seat’s gentle curves envelop the passenger and create a distinct personal space, while its padded headboard blocks peripheral distractions. Passeng…

If and when it comes time to write the obituary for Fisker Automotive, there is one question that cannot be properly answered without a decade’s worth of historical perspective: Was the Karma—former BMW executive Henrik Fisker’s plug-in hybrid electric vehicle—the right car at the wrong time, or simply the wrong car, period?
There is, however, one aspect that can be reliably addressed at present. The Karma is a gorgeous vehicle, a fact that is helping to keep the company alive, at least for the time being. Th…

Over the last half century, North London’s Hexagon has established itself as one of the United Kingdom’s largest BMW dealerships, but company founder and chairman Paul Michaels’s true passion has always lain with classic cars. Now, in celebration of its 50th anniversary, Hexagon has announced that it will cease selling new cars to focus entirely on classic-car sales through Hexagon Classics and the newly formed Hexagon Modern Classics, which opened a dedicated showroom in Tottenham, London, earlier this year. …

The collector-car world is populated with characters, and with events tailored to appeal to each one’s particular passions. At almost any given time, there is a concours, rally, anniversary gathering, or auction sure to attract those with even the most esoteric tastes. For those who have run the gamut of U.S. and British shows, dabbled in Italy, and kicked tires on Germany’s old-timers, Paris’s Salon Rétromobile features a trove of exotica and a decidedly French take on things automotive. A highlight of this y…

The 2014 Amelia Island Concours d’Eelgance is set to take place March 7 through 9 on its namesake coastal island near Jacksonville, Fla. Now in its 19th year, the concours was originally intended as a southeastern haven for collectors and enthusiasts. Today, the event attracts global attention and show vehicles, with an average attendance growth of 15 percent per year. Last year’s show welcomed some 25,000 attendees and nearly 300 cars. The event, which takes place on the grounds of the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Is…

Built by Alloy Yachts in Auckland, New Zealand, the sailing yacht Mondango3 will be delivered to its owners later this month. Dubois Naval Architects penned the exterior lines of the 186-foot ketch, while the interiors, which feature contrasting light and dark wood trim throughout, are by Reymond Langton Design. When propelled by its 1450 hp Caterpillar engine, the yacht can achieve a 14-knot top speed, a little over 2 knots shy of its expected top speed under sail. (The yacht’s sea trials will take place…

The Epic LT six-seat single-engine turboprop began as a build-it-yourself kit aircraft about 10 years ago. Now, the manufacturer is in the process of certifying the production version of that plane, the Epic Aircraft E1000, for which the company has begun taking orders. Epic expects to receive FAA certification for the model early next year. The first 15 examples will go for $2.75 million, with deliveries expected to start by the middle of next year. The ergonomically designed cockpit has been updated with an …

Perched on the rim of a dramatic gorge, Alila Jabal Akhdar christens the Sultanate of Oman’s newest luxury travel destination.
Why Go: Three years ago, Sultan Qaboos issued a decree to establish an undeveloped area high in Oman’s highest mountain range as a Sanctuary for Natural Sceneries. Called Jabal Akhdar, or “Green Mountain,” it boasts a Mediterranean-like climate and plentiful fruit and nut crops, including exceptional walnut and pomegranate varieties. Alila Jabal Akhdar makes the area—which is a 2.5-ho…